{"id":21103,"date":"2023-12-23T19:44:30","date_gmt":"2023-12-24T00:44:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=21103"},"modified":"2023-12-23T19:44:30","modified_gmt":"2023-12-24T00:44:30","slug":"rebel-moon-part-one-a-child-of-fire-a-disaster-of-epic-proportions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=21103","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Rebel Moon \u2013 Part One: A Child of Fire\u2019 Film Review \u2013 A Disaster of Epic Proportions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Making a popular science fiction movie can be challenging since audiences will almost certainly come in with a set of expectations that compare new material to the many iconic films, TV series, comics, and books that have influenced them. Adapting a beloved work for the screen is always a risk since casting actors as characters and creating an imagined world will almost certainly fall short of what existing fans had always pictured. Coming up with something entirely new presents other obstacles, but it is possible to do so effectively. Regrettably, Rebel Moon \u2013 Part One: A Child of Fire<\/em><\/strong> does not.<\/p>\n

Kora (Sofia Boutella<\/a>) lives on a moon among farmers who have a tranquil community before Admiral Noble (Ed Skrein<\/a>) arrives to kill their leader and demand a far too steep share of their crops on behalf of the Motherworld. After she fights back against the vicious acts of the Imperium soldiers, Kora joins forces with Gunnar (Michiel Huisman) to find the Bloodaxes, their best hope at resisting the Motherworld and Balisarius (Fra Fee), the evil regent who has a particular axe to grind with Kora, who herself is not eager to disclose her background to her new allies.<\/p>\n

\"REBEL
REBEL MOON: Sofia Boutella as Kora in Rebel Moon. Cr. Clay Enos\/Netflix \u00a9 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Summarizing this film in just one paragraph feels difficult since there is such an abundance of characters and such a lack of coherent plot. It doesn\u2019t come as much of a surprise that director Zack Snyder<\/a> originally conceived of this as an entry in the ultra-popular Star Wars<\/em><\/strong> franchise, since it feels like a pale attempt at mimicking the winning combination of camp and quality that has defined those films for the past four decades. That this is only the first part of a saga that already has another film slated for release and more potential sequels in the can doesn\u2019t present much hope that more content can be better managed since the initial 135 minutes aren\u2019t particularly tight or well-utilized.<\/p>\n

Sci-fi enthusiasts will recognize elements found in other projects, with plot points, characters, and scenes reminiscent of a range of properties like Dune, Avatar, <\/em><\/strong>and Firefly<\/em><\/strong>. Whether those should be regarded as homages or thinly-veiled impressions isn\u2019t clear, but the universe that Snyder has built here is far from compelling. There are simply too many players involved, and it\u2019s hard to find anyone to relate to or latch on to as a protagonist, including Kora. Snyder has never shied away from controversy before in his interpretation of and vision for the DC Extended Universe, and anyone even mildly familiar with him should know that he\u2019s committed to doing things his way, even if it garners him considerable pushback from many and downright scorn from others.<\/p>\n

\"REBEL
Rebel Moon. Cr. Netflix \u00a92023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This cast is loaded with impressive names that typically deliver decent performances. Boutella has had her share of lead roles in the past, and it\u2019s mainly the writing and character conception that\u2019s at fault for Kora being less than invigorating or memorable. Similarly, Huisman has enchanted in The Flight Attendant<\/em> <\/strong>and Game of Thrones<\/em><\/strong>, but this part doesn\u2019t afford him anything with which to work. Charlie Hunnam does his best to enliven a bounty hunter, while Anthony Hopkins\u2019 voice is always comforting to hear, here as Jimmy, a robot warrior.<\/p>\n

Releasing an untested franchise debut with \u201cpart one\u201d in its title is a bold move that presumably anticipated success, which this film doesn\u2019t seem to have found. That audiences can stream it at home over the holidays means it will still reach many people, provided they haven\u2019t been scared off by mostly negative reviews even unkinder than this one. Its placement on the Oscar shortlist for Best Visual Effects affords it a shot at awards recognition for an element that isn\u2019t entirely bad, but even there, it feels quite out of place as compared with its competition. Like Alita: Battle Angel<\/em><\/strong>, this is a high-concept sci-fi endeavor that falls completely flat and is likely to have most viewers shudder at the idea of having to sit through a follow-up.<\/p>\n

Grade: F<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out more of Abe Friedtanzer\u2019s articles<\/a>.<\/p>\n